Stress is part of life and it is important to recognize signs and symptoms in order to prevent taxing your health.
Inability to Concentrate
This, of course, leads to more stress, as deadlines are missed and superiors become increasingly more impatient and critical.The harried worker is pitched into a cycle of ineptitude that only serves to create more stress.Day after day, these problems build up, and if not addressed, can have serious ramifications.
Inability to Sleep
Troubles at work during the day can lead to difficulty sleeping at night.While an occasional night of insomnia is not cause for alarm, chronic lack of sleep can lead to even more difficulty concentrating during the day.Again, this is a cyclical problem.Work problems seem to be magnified, and the overstressed brain is unable to let go to allow for sleep.A person who tosses and turns all night, is not going to be productive during the day.This, in turn, causes further stress and more work that goes unfinished or done incorrectly.
Inability to Relax
A person who is stressed often feels as though he or she cannot simply sit down at the end of a long day and relax.There is always something that needs to be done and to do nothing doesn't feel right somehow.
Working women are especially stressed in that their workday does not end once they leave their jobs.Many women find themselves going home to what is essentially a second job - taking care of their families. Dinner must be prepared and the children prepared for bed.Laundry accumulates and the house needs to be straightened up.Many working women fall into bed at night, exhausted, without having any time at all for themselves.
Weekends become a time to catch up on all the chores that are neglected during the week.But when a person has not been sleeping and cannot concentrate, these chores loom large and an individual can become completely overwhelmed, not knowing what to do first.By the end of the weekend, the lack of accomplishment added to the stress from work can lead to another sleepless Sunday night.
Physical Manifestations
Stress manifests physically as well as mentally and emotionally.Some people suffer from headaches, increased irritability, and other physical pains. Others develop symptoms of anxiety including heart palpitations, tightness in the chest, lightheadedness, dizziness, and massive fatigue.These symptoms often mimic those of a heart attack, and many people seek medical attention, fearing that there is something seriously wrong.
Doctors are beginning to recognize these as classic symptoms of stress, but must conduct a thorough examination in order to make a valid diagnosis.It is advisable to have regular physical examinations, and establish a rapport with a physician who will be able to spot changes in your condition.Don't ignore these symptoms, and be open and honest with your doctor.This could save your life.
People deal with stress in a variety of ways.Some find a way out through exercise; others escape by watching movies or television. But many people try to escape from their daily stress by drinking to excess, smoking, eating too many sweets, or consuming too much coffee or soda.These behaviors can further exacerbate the problem, and lead to serious physical or emotional problems.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, stop and examine your personal circumstances.There are means by which to reduce stress levels that are effective and can change your life for the better.Don't ignore physical symptoms, as they could be indicative of more serious problems.Talk to your doctor about ways that you can minimize stress in your life.
